2024 Ford Explorer MPG and Fuel Cost

The 2024 Ford Explorer is rated 20 to 24 mpg combined across 6 EPA-tested gas versions; the best is the 2.3L turbo 4-cyl · RWD · 10-speed automatic.

EPA fuel economy

2024 Ford Explorer · 6 EPA-tested versions

Best EPA rating

24MPG combined

21 city 28 highway

$2,600 a year to fuel

Fuel economy score5/10

2.3L turbo 4-cyl · RWD · 10-speed automatic

Best version costs $2,000 more in fuel over 5 years vs the average new vehicle (EPA)

Fuel cost: 15,000 miles a year at EPA's $4.00 a gallon (regular gas).

Data: US EPA, fueleconomy.govUpdated Nov 12, 2026

At EPA's price assumptions, fuel costs $2,600 to $3,100 a year. The hybrid version offered in 2023 is not listed by EPA for 2024.

Too new to rank against other Explorer years

The 2024 Explorer has not had three full years of owner complaints yet.

Years to avoid: 2015 to 2017; best year: 2019. Based on owner complaints, not adjusted for sales.

Every Explorer year ranked The 2024 Explorer's recalls and problems

Every 2024 Explorer version

EPA's ratings for each version it tested. Fuel cost is EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current prices.

Version	Combined	City / Hwy	Fuel / year
2.3L turbo 4-cyl · RWD · 10-speed automatic Best EPA listing: Explorer RWD	24 mpg	21 / 28	$2,600
2.3L turbo 4-cyl · Part-time 4WD · 10-speed automatic EPA listing: Explorer AWD	23 mpg	20 / 27	$2,700
2.3L turbo 4-cyl · Part-time 4WD · 10-speed automatic · Timberline EPA listing: Explorer Timberline AWD	21 mpg	19 / 22	$2,950
3.0L turbo 6-cyl · RWD · 10-speed automatic · rated 21 mpg EPA listing: Explorer RWD	21 mpg	18 / 26	$2,950
3.0L turbo 6-cyl · Part-time 4WD · 10-speed automatic EPA listing: Explorer AWD (also Explorer AWD)	20 mpg	18 / 24	$3,100
3.0L turbo 6-cyl · RWD · 10-speed automatic · rated 20 mpg EPA listing: Explorer RWD	20 mpg	18 / 25	$3,100

Fuel cost at your prices

EPA's annual cost uses 15,000 miles a year, 55% city driving and its current prices: $4.00 a gallon for regular gas. Change the numbers to match your driving.

Version	Per year	Per month	5 years
2.3L turbo 4-cyl · RWD · 10-speed automatic	$2,500	$208	$12,500
2.3L turbo 4-cyl · Part-time 4WD · 10-speed automatic	$2,609	$217	$13,043
2.3L turbo 4-cyl · Part-time 4WD · 10-speed automatic · Timberline	$2,857	$238	$14,286
3.0L turbo 6-cyl · RWD · 10-speed automatic · rated 21 mpg	$2,857	$238	$14,286
3.0L turbo 6-cyl · Part-time 4WD · 10-speed automatic	$3,000	$250	$15,000
3.0L turbo 6-cyl · RWD · 10-speed automatic · rated 20 mpg	$3,000	$250	$15,000

At the default settings the results match EPA's annual cost before EPA rounds it to the nearest $50.

Ford Explorer MPG by model year

The best-rated version in each model year; the highlighted year is this page. Gas: 17 to 24 mpg (every year from 2010 to 2026); 24 since 2020. Hybrid: 27 to 28 mpg (2020 to 2023); highest in 2020.

Best gas version
Best hybrid version

2024: gas 24 mpg · hybrid not offered

Show as a table

Ford Explorer best combined mpg by model year
Model year	Best gas version	Best hybrid version
2010	17	–
2011	20	–
2012	23	–
2013	23	–
2014	23	–
2015	23	–
2016	22	–
2017	22	–
2018	22	–
2019	22	–
2020	24	28
2021	24	27
2022	24	27
2023	24	27
2024	24	–
2025	24	–
2026	24	–

Every Explorer year's ratings in one table

How the 2024 Explorer compares

2024 midsize SUVs covered on this site, ranked by their best combined rating. Fuel cost is for each model's cheapest version to run, at EPA's prices.

2024 model	Best combined	Best gas	Fuel / year
Kia Sorento Best: hybrid	37 mpg	26 mpg	$1,700
Toyota Highlander Best: hybrid	36 mpg	25 mpg	$1,750
Hyundai Santa Fe Best: hybrid	36 mpg	24 mpg	$1,750
Lexus RX Best: hybrid	36 mpg	25 mpg	$2,150
Toyota Grand Highlander Best: hybrid	36 mpg	24 mpg	$1,750
Chevrolet Blazer Best: gas	25 mpg	25 mpg	$2,500
Mazda CX-90 Best: gas	25 mpg	25 mpg	$2,500
Ford Explorer This page Best: gas	24 mpg	24 mpg	$2,600
Chevrolet Traverse Best: gas	23 mpg	23 mpg	$2,700
Ford Edge Best: gas	23 mpg	23 mpg	$2,700
Nissan Pathfinder Best: gas	23 mpg	23 mpg	$2,700
Nissan Murano Best: gas	23 mpg	23 mpg	$2,700
GMC Acadia Best: gas	23 mpg	23 mpg	$2,700
Volkswagen Atlas Best: gas	23 mpg	23 mpg	$2,700
Kia Telluride Best: gas	22 mpg	22 mpg	$2,850
Jeep Grand Cherokee Best: gas	22 mpg	22 mpg	$2,850
Honda Pilot Best: gas	22 mpg	22 mpg	$2,850
Hyundai Palisade Best: gas	22 mpg	22 mpg	$2,850
Subaru Ascent Best: gas	22 mpg	22 mpg	$2,850
Dodge Durango Best: gas	21 mpg	21 mpg	$2,950
Honda Passport Best: gas	21 mpg	21 mpg	$2,950
Buick Enclave Best: gas	21 mpg	21 mpg	$2,950

Ford Explorer vs Toyota HighlanderMPG, fuel cost, recalls and crash tests side by side

2024 Explorer recalls and complaints

NHTSA lists 10 safety recalls and 21 owner complaints for the 2024 Explorer.

NHTSA's overall crash rating: 5 stars.

See the 2024 Explorer recalls and problems

Questions

Does 4WD lower the 2024 Ford Explorer's gas mileage?

Yes. On versions that differ only in drive, 4WD lowers the combined rating by 1 mpg: the 2.3L turbo 4-cyl gets 24 mpg combined with two-wheel drive and 23 with 4WD.

Does the 2024 Ford Explorer need premium gas?

No. EPA lists every 2024 Ford Explorer version on regular gasoline.

How does the 2024 Explorer's MPG compare with the 2023?

For 2024, the best gas version is rated 24 mpg, the same as the year before.

Sources and method

US EPA and Department of Energy fuel economy data (fueleconomy.gov), file dated Nov 4, 2026.
EPA fuel price assumptions: regular $4.00, midgrade $4.61, premium $5.01, diesel $6.13 a gallon; electricity $0.15 per kWh.
Recall and complaint counts: NHTSA recall file dated Nov 12, 2026 and complaint file dated Nov 11, 2026.

Ratings are EPA estimates. Real-world mileage depends on how, where and in what weather you drive. How we build these pages. Spotted an error? Tell us.